Circuit Clerk

Circuit Clerks are elected to office for a period of six years. Their duties, responsibilities, and compensation are set by statute.

The Circuit Clerk is an officer within the judicial system, and is the registrar, recorder and custodian of all pleadings, documents and funds pertaining to cases filed in Circuit and Family Courts.

Some of the types of cases handled are civil actions, domestic relations, adoptions, metal hygiene cases, guardianships, juvenile cases, appeals from Magistrate Court, criminal cases, and miscellaneous cases. Many of the cases are public record. However, others are confidential; these include adoptions, mental hygiene cases, guardianships and juvenile cases. Domestic relations cases are also restricted in some ways.

The Circuit Clerk is responsible for the administration and management of the petit and grand jury systems in the county. Under the direction of the court, the clerk creates the master list of perspective jurors from drivers' and voters' lists; randomly selects panels for attendance; issues summons and qualifies jurors; and monitors attendance and mileage for reimbursement purposes.

The multiple functions and responsibilities of the clerk's office require that the clerk prepare and file with other government agencies various statistical and financial reports.

The Circuit Clerk is authorized to appoint deputy clerks, who take the same oath of office as the clerk and perform official acts and duties in the name of the Circuit Clerk. In Wood County, there are twelve full-time deputy clerks and two part-time deputy circuit clerks.

There are three terms of court annually, with each term beginning on the second Monday in January, May and September.